Dean's Breakfast Series Program

Saint Louis University's John Cook School of Business will host the first Dean's Breakfast Series program Tuesday, Oct. 8, in John and Lucy Cook Hall, 3674 Lindell Blvd.

William P. Thompson

The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a continental networking breakfast followed by a special presentation, "The SSM Experience: Imagine a New Reality," by William P. Thompson, President and CEO of SSM Healthcare, at 8 a.m. A question and answer period will follow.

The event is free and open to the public, however registration is required. Visit deansbreakfast.slu.edu to register.

About the SpeakerOn August 1, 2011, Bill Thompson became President/Chief Executive Officer of SSM Health Care, after serving as President/Chief Operating Officer for two years. Thompson has worked at SSM Health Care since 1980, serving in a variety of capacities.

Before becoming President/COO, he was senior vice president - strategic development from 1993 to 2009. Prior to that he was a regional vice president for six years, and before that he served as executive director of St. Mary's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.

Thompson is known for his commitment to quality improvement. He coauthored the book, "CQI and the Renovation of an American Health System - A Culture under Construction," with former SSM President/CEO Sr. Mary Jean Ryan in 1997. Thompson and Ryan were responsible for the system's decision to adopt continuous quality improvement in 1990.

He has spoken on performance excellence across the nation. He chairs the Quality Improvement Committee for the Premier health care alliance, and most recently coauthored a chapter on physician alignment in the book "Getting It Done: Experienced Healthcare Leaders Reveal Field-Tested Strategies for Clinical and Financial Success."

Thompson received a master's in Hospital Administration from St. Louis University in 1978 and a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1976. He currently serves on the various boards of directors of SSM Health Care.